'We are trying to anticipate the reaction to news of Osama bin Laden’s death,' Brennan says. |
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“What we’re trying to do now is to understand what he has been involved in over the past several years, exploit whatever information we were able to get at the compound and take that information and continue our efforts to destroy Al Qaeda,” he said.

Questions have become pointed about whether some members of the Pakistani government or military were aware of bin Laden’s presence in a town with a heavy military presence, and Brennan said the Obama administration is investigating.

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Some of the intelligence that led to bin Laden was collected from suspected terrorist detainees at Guantanamo Bay, the administration has said, leading to speculation that waterboarding or other “enhanced interrogation techniques” were used to extract information from the detainees. Asked on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” whether waterboarding was used to get details that led to the Al Qaeda leader, Brennan said only, “not to my knowledge.”

He also stressed that intelligence from prisoners was only one piece of the puzzle. “There was no one critical bit of information provided by either a detainee or somebody else,” he said on NBC. “What happened is there was a mosaic appearing over time and by diligent work and very strong work we pieced it together and it brought us to Abbottabad.”

In the immediate aftermath of bin Laden’s killing, the Obama administration is being attentive to potential retaliation attempts, but “we have not seen specific threats at this time,” Brennan said on ABC’s “Good Morning America.” “But we’re taking all of the prudent measures that we need to when there’s an incident of significance like this…. Right now, we feel confident.”

If Osama died a coward's death, release the video for sure. But anticipation is half the fun. Imagine the screen shot. It would be just like a screen shot from a first person shooter video game. The 9mm comes into view, and boom, boom.

I want the T-shirt :-)

On a related note: Imagine the temptation for the man who prepared the body for burial at sea. Imagine the temptation to shove a pound of bacon up some body cavity. That would be a great last scene for the movie when it comes out. Nothing graphic, but as the body slides into the sea cut to the cook asking the mortician "Why did you want that pound of bacon?" and the mortician just smiles, then fade to credits.

It is prudent to be measured in any considerations regarding the release of material relative to the raid on the compound and any subsequent events. Regardless of when and why the material is ever released, the reaction from the jihadist community will be negative and potentially volitile. That said, I am in favor of seeing it all. Especially the precise moment as depicted in Secretary of State Clinton's expression in the situation room.

It is prudent to be measured in any considerations regarding the release of material relative to the raid on the compound and any subsequent events. Regardless of when and why the material is ever released, the reaction from the jihadist community will be negative and potentially volitile. That said, I am in favor of seeing it all. Especially the precise moment we see being depicted in Secretary of State Clinton's expression in the situation room.

There is no question the death of Osama bin Laden will give the 9/11 families and the entire nation a closure, and hopefully we could move forward once and for all. The World has changed since 9/11, so with or without his death we have been on alert since that day.

The fact that our government respected the traditional Islam burial and did everything necessary within 24-hours, will show the Muslim World that we are a sensitive to other nations' beliefs and cultures.

As for the release of the materials, we have to let our government's experts do what is best, just as they did with the burial, since they are well aware of the reaction of the jihadist.

As for the Pakistani government knowing his where about:

First of all, we have to stop making up stories without a proof

Second, we have to stop once and for all comparing the skills of USA counterterrorism capabilities, anything else for that matter, let alone with Pakistan, but also with any nation in the world.

Third, the Pakistani people have been suffering on a daily bases from terrorism, therefore, I believe if the Pakistani government knew that he has been hiding there, they would have taken care of him themselves, or at least inform the USA government.

Hello: Publius here. How are you? I understand what Mr. Brennan is saying and the position the administration is in. I would love to take my president at his word. However, understanding the nature of the attack on the compound in Pakistan, the logistics and risks of it all and the politics, I just can't. I'm sorry but I need photos. Good ones!! It's a sad commentary on our society, and on me, when we can't even take the word of the President of the Unitied States. I thank God that most of America does not seem to be as cynical as me. Have a good day.

Hey: Publius still here. With regards to the Pakastani (or any) government. We (being the United States government) take people at their word (most times). We always have to balance what we're hearing from other governments with information gathered from other sources. If all that I'm reading is true, it is clear to me that Mr. Bin Laden has been in that compound for some time. To think that the Pakastani government did not know that Mr. Bin Laden was there defies credulity.

There are people around this world who do not like the United States and will do crazy things in an effort to hurt us. We must engage those people and help them as best we can. That's what Americans do. Sometimes it bites us in the ass. Most times engagement increases understanding and advances liberty. We see the products of engagement in Tunisia, Egypt, Syria and even in Libya. We must always promote engagement and understanding. At the same time we must also always remain vigilant against people who want to promote pain and hatred. We have diplomats, bombs, and Navy SEALs. There are all sorts of ways to promote understanding. We will use whatever one works best for you. Take care. Have a good day.

The world saw thousands of Americans die on 9/11. We and our children were witness. Show the photos, flood the internet and cover every front page to serve as warning, "Harm Americans, attack our country and we will hunt you down to the ends of the earth, and we will Kill You".

I would think the next big story to come out of this will be what was found on the disks taken from Osama's computers. Also all the paper work taken from the compound. If I were working with Osama, I think I would be very nervous if I heard a knock on my door.

can someone explain to me why foxnews keeps talking about waterboarding? rove et al claim the intelligence gathered that led to bin laden's came from waterboarding. no one has been waterboarded since 2002/2003, a long time ago....

why am i bothering to ask this question?? these guys are tying themselves in knots trying to find a way to give bush the credit for this. geez louise.

can someone explain to me why foxnews keeps talking about waterboarding? rove et al claim the intelligence gathered that led to bin laden's came from waterboarding. no one has been waterboarded since 2002/2003, a long time ago....

why am i bothering to ask this question?? these guys are tying themselves in knots trying to find a way to give bush the credit for this. geez louise.

So if it was not on his direction whose direction do you think it was? Bush's? Bush's mission was accomplished remember?

He was leaning over in his chairwhen the camera shot was made-- which from the camera angle made him look smaller, it is not rocket science.

Bin Laaden was killed on Obama's watch not Bush's--nothing can change that fact so you might as well get used to it. Your children and grandchildren will read of it in their history books. It will be a test question. "Who gave the order to kill Osama Bin Laden? The correct answer will be "Obama"!